Chemical Specification of Dried Aerial Parts of Portulaca grandiflora Hook.f.

Abstract

The aerial parts of Phrae Sianghai, Portulaca grandiflora Hook.f. (Family Portulacaceae) has long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of sore throat, skin rash, and detoxification. Since the chemical specification of this crude drug has not been reported before, this research was conducted to study the physicochemical properties of this plant for setting up the guideline of its chemical specifications. This study was conducted on 28 samples of dried aerial parts of Phrae Sianghai, collected from various natural sources in Nonthaburi, Chantaburi and Chiang Mai provinces. It was found that the total ash and acid-insoluble ash contents were not more than 19 percent and 1 percent w/w, respectively. The water-soluble and 95 percent ethanol-soluble extractives were not less than 20 percent and 7 percent w/w, respectively, while the moisture content was not more than 9 percent w/w. Additionally, the chemical identification was also provided using color tests and thin-layer chromatographic method. The result of this study will be useful for the quality control of Phrae Sianghai dried aerial parts.